Outdoor Stone Fireplace Design |
Outdoor stone fireplace design can be much more intriguing and challenging then people think. When making the initial plans for such a project one has to get beyond just thinking of plain old stones. There are many varieties of stones used to make a very exquisite and rustic fireplace. To be able to utilize them fully you need to learn a bit about them.
As we mentioned often the general thought is on natural stones. There is certainly nothing wrong with this. One thing is for sure, there is no shortage of sizes and shapes to choose from and something you may want to consider is using a variation of stones. Instead of sticking with one type why not mix and match a bit.
How about considering stone but of a little different type. Actually, I am referring to manmade stone or cast stones. These are cultured stone. The advantages to these are they are much lighter to work with and uniform in size, which makes the overall assembling of the fireplace much easier.
These are the two most common materials that are a first consideration for individuals building an outdoor fireplace. That does not mean that you cannot consider marble, linestone, slate or granite as well. Perhaps being a little more expensive, you may want to consider using them as accent pieces or focal points in the overall design.
Now it is obvious the material of stone no matter what kind suggests ruggedness and size. That does not it mean it has to be huge, but the size has to be fitting for the medium. This also means the space has to be compatible. If you try to build a huge stone rugged fireplace on an apartment size patio, for instance it just is not going to look right or even may not be useable for safety reasons. Common sense must prevail when it comes to outdoor store fireplaces.
Although the stone outdoor fireplace requires little maintenance, a yearly treatment with a water sealant goes a long way in preventing cracks. It does not hurt to give it a good scrubbing once in awhile with soap and water. Although the remnants of the natural elements does add character to it.
Although stone outdoor fireplaces are favored for their decorative attributes, it is always worth taking your plans a little further and making if functional for barbecuing. There is just something extra special about a hotdog or Hamburg done on a real authentic stone barbecue. It does not take much to make your stone fireplace functional for cooking as well as enjoying the warmth it provides on those cool nights. There are many pre-designed plans that you can purchase that will take you through the building of yours and its not likely anything that you will regret putting the time and money into it.
Outdoor stone fireplaces set the tone of the atmosphere and ambience of your landscaping and your outdoor enjoyment. What better way is there to enjoy nature?
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